RARE BIRD REPORT #: 54-B-06

Idaho Bird Records Committee Rarities Report Form

Species:

Reporter: Cliff Weisse, 4125 Beaver Springs Rd., Island Park, ID 83429, 208-558-7789, cliffandlisa@octobersetters.com

Other Observers: Jay Carlisle

Date of Observation: 9/29/06

Date Report Prepared: 9/30/06

Locality of Observation: Island Park Reservoir near the mouth of Sheridan creek,, near Island Park, Fremont County

Habitat: Mud flat

Conditions: Sunny with light to moderate wind. Sun was behind observers and somewhat low in the sky at about 4:30 pm.

Did you take notes…No

Did you consult a field guide or other reference work?

during the observation Yes

Sibley Guide to birds and Paulson’s Shorebirds of North America, The Photographic Guide

Description: Medium sized shorebird about the size of Long-billed Dowitcher in direct comparison. Gray on upperparts and whitish on underparts. Black bill was much shorter than dowitchers. Gray crown, white supercilium, gray auriculars, and white throat. Primaries black. In flight showed tail paler than back, obvious white wing stripe, black leading edge to wing. Scapulars and wing coverts gray with fine black subterminal bar and white fringe at tip.

Behavior: Loosely associating with dowitchers. Mostly this individual was roosted but at times it foraged with dowitchers.

How and when did you positively identify the bird, and what clinched the identification for you? While roosted with bill tucked under wing the similar size to dowitchers and gray upperparts brought to mind a Red Knot. When the bird lifted its head and exposed the bill I was sure it was a Red Knot.

How did you eliminate similar species, and what were they? The pattern of the individual feathers of the upperparts, pale gray feathers with fine black subterminal band and white tip is diagnostic (Paulson, Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest, page 229, caption under photo of juvenile Red Knot). Juvenile Surfbird has black subterminal bar on upperparts but the feathers are darker gray. Juvenile Surfbird is further eliminated by white breast and throat, white supercilium, and longer bill. The only other shorebird that appears this pale overall is basic or juvenile Sanderling, which is eliminated by size and presence of hind toe (see photo).

Experience with this species: This is the first juvenile I’ve seen. I’ve seen adults in full or partial alternate plumage on two previous occasions.

General experience birding: 13 years

Were photo(s), video, and/or audio obtained by you? Yes